He pouwhenua, he puapua

Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō was represented on and off the stage, with most of the tutors also linking to Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō. The bracket had a strong Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō/Kurahaupō influence: the entrance spoke of the connection that Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and the other Te Tauihu Kurahaupō iwi have with the hosts Rangitāne ki Manawatū. The exit item included the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō ngeri He aha kei Tua?

Having this performed in front of a huge crowd of was a precious moment for our iwi, and signalled the strengthening roots of our cultural capacity and cultural profile.

Ngā mihi to head tutors Wayne Hippolite and Janis de Thierry, and the many others who have given their time and knowledge so that our Rangatahi can learn and feel the power of Māori performing arts.